From the world-famous Hyderabadi biryani to the haleem, from Charminar to the Golconda forts and from the IT park to its diverse cultural setup, Hyderabad is one of the oldest cities in India. People from all walk of life and belonging to different parts of the country live in Hyderabad. The city of pearls has a variety of sights and wonders in its purse to offer. It is very important to break away from the monotonous routine of the 21st century and divulge into the natural wonders more often. Not only would these trips help to break the monotony but would also inspire, relax and rejuvenate you. If you are a resident or even visiting the city, the sheer number of such places is humungous and you would be confused as to where to head to. Fret not folks, we have compiled the list of 10 best weekend getaways from Hyderabad and it includes hill stations, historic towns, waterfalls, dams, caves, forests etc. Read till the end and decide on the perfect destination for you this weekend. Visit these destinations with your partner for a breathtaking experience.

1. Mallela Theertham

At a distance of 130 km from Hyderabad, Mallela Theethram is one of the few places that are still untouched by urbanization. The picturesque view of the gushing waterfall surrounded by greenery all around is a perfect sight for the sore eyes of an urban dweller. The place is considered a divine and holy land by the locals. There is a shiv lingam at the top of the waterfall that is said to have been put there by Lord Shiva himself. Imagine yourself at a place where a lot of sages have penanced in the past and achieved salvation. Definitely, you will feel the magical vibes in the air here. The waterfall is around 150 feet high and you can even swim at the bottom. Trekkers can also visit this place as well as families if they want to hang out for a picnic. You can definitely book couple friendly hotels in Hyderabad by the hour to make it economical and so it does not hinder your plans. So check out at the desired hour and flee to your destination.

Mallela Theertham Waterfall

2. Nagarjunsagar, Andhra Pradesh

Nagarjunasagar is a famous Buddhist site that is also home to the world's tallest masonry dam, The Nagarjunasagar Dam. Built over the Krishna river, the dam lies in Nalgonda District of Andhra Pradesh and is situated at a distance of 178 km from Hyderabad. This man-made marvel amidst the spectacular greenery is an enduring sight that one can get ahold of. The penchant is amazing and you will surely get lost in its beauty. The Dam was built for helping in irrigation and supplies enough water for irrigating over 10 acres of agricultural land. The town is also famous for its Buddhist relics which were found at the island located amidst the man-made lake. The island Nagarjuna Konda is named after a Buddhist saint Acharya Nagarjuna. The place is bestowed with the best natural scenery and is perfect for connecting with mother nature. There is also the Nagarjunasagar wildlife sanctuary nearby and the beautiful Ethipothala Waterfall.

Nagarjunasagar Dam

3. Badami, Karnataka

Badami was the capital city of the once most powerful rulers in the south, The Chalukyas. At a staggering 219 km from Hyderabad, this place in Karnataka will surely amaze you. The landscape reminds you of the ancient history this city possesses with its numerous temples beautifully carved in Dravidian architecture and also carrying fine imprints of North Indian architecture. The cave temples are one of the tourist magnets and houses three Hindu Temples and one Jain Temple. The beautiful Agastya lake lies amidst the valley of rugged red sandstone and is such a beauty that you will rarely get to see anywhere else. This place is a delight for those who love old and ancient monuments with its numerous temples, forts, palaces all carved in red sandstone. Badami is declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Bagalkot district in Karnataka. This place is a reminder of the architectural style of south Indian rulers which can be seen in the multiple temples here. Adventure lovers can also indulge in rock climbing here. If you are visiting Hyderabad with your partner, you can make your stay in Hyderabad economical and safe by booking hotels by the hour and the hotels for unmarried couples in Hyderabad.


4. Gandikota

Gandikota is a remote village located 287 km from Hyderabad in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh. The village is situated on the sidelines of Pennar river which passes through the Erramala hills. With time, the river has cut deep gorges and flows in narrow streams crisscrossing the valley. The high and steep walls of the hill flank it and give it a look that has earned it the name of ‘Grand Canyon of India’. The Gandikota fort was built in the 13th century and has been the seat of power for many rulers. The red sandstone structure is a massive fort that is surrounded by deep gorges of the Pennar river and is also protected by a huge wall that runs up to 5 miles in length. Do walk to the highest point of the fort, around 1 km from the main entrance gate of the fort from where you can witness the mesmerizing view of the river cutting through the Gandikota hills. The interiors of the fort are also a delight for the visitors with intricate carvings on the red sandstone walls. The stunning views from this fort are a huge attraction and a must-visit for everyone. Other main attractions are the House of the Drum where drums were used to sound an alarm in case of invasions, Charminar, a Jail and the Red Koneru, a pond where the warriors used to dip their swords covered in blood after the war that used to turn the lake red.

Grand Canyon of India

5. Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh

Srisailam is a small hill town in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh located at a distance of 227 km from Hyderabad. Srisailam is a very important pilgrimage for Hindus as it holds the sacred Malikarjuna Jyotirlinga which is among one of the eighteen Shakti Peethas of goddess Parvati. There is the famous Pathala Ganga, a stream of river Krishna which is at a distance of 1 km from the temple. Devotees usually take a dip in the Pthala Ganga before visiting the temple. A staircase and a ropeway are there to reach Pathala Ganga. If you want to get a glimpse of the beauty of the surrounding area take the ropeway and get lost in the breathtaking view of the backwaters of Dam in the backdrop of the Srisailam hills. There are several temples here among which, the Sikhareswara Swamy temple and the Bhramaramba Mallikarjunaswamy Temple are the most renowned. The dense vegetation is a part of the Nallamala forest ranges that adds to the beauty of the place. This place is a bit far from Hyderabad so leave the comforts of your couple friendly hotel in Hyderabad and move towards this enchanting place.

Srisailam Dam

6. Warangal, Andhra Pradesh

Warangal was the seat of power during the Kakatiya reign in the 12th to 14th century. At a distance of just 151 km from Hyderabad, Warangal holds numerous sights that will leave you amazed and bewildered by their magnificence. A visit to the Warangal Fort, Kush Mahal etc is sure to take you back in the time of royalty.  There are also several ancient temples such as the Thousand Pillar Temple, Ramappa temple, Sammakka Saralamma Temple whose architecture and spiritual environment acts like a charm on its visitors. Apart from the historical monuments, Warangal also has umpteen natural sights in its lakes, wildlife sanctuaries and rock formations. The Pakhal lake and the man-made Laknavaram Lake are must-visits for tourists with the astounding natural beauty that they put on display. You must dedicate a full day to explore Warangal if you are visiting from Hyderabad. So wake up from the cozy bed of your couple friendly hotel in Hyderabad, tag along your partner for an early morning ride to Warangal so that you don't miss anything.

Warangal Fort

7. Belum Caves

The Belum Caves is the second largest cave in India after the Krem Liat Prah in Meghalaya. However, it is the largest and longest cave system in India still open for the tourists. At a distance of just 212 km from Hyderabad, the Belum caves offer a very different and yet exciting adventure to its visitors. Only a kilometre and a half of the cave is open for tourists from the nearly 3 km long network of caves explored. The Belum Caves have a network of paths that consists of 16 different pathways, including the main entrance and there are deposits of stalactite and stalagmite formations. These formations are famous for producing a sound which can be heard when you strike them with your knuckles. There are long passages, huge chambers and several water tunnels in these caves. The caves are a treat to the Geologists who visit it for the three spectacular sinkholes. The lowest point in the Belum Caves is as deep as 46 meter which is known as Pataalaganga. Water stream flows through the point all round the year.

Belum Caves

A part of the caves was used by Buddhist monks for meditation and there is also a huge Buddha statue on a nearby hill. The Belum caves and its surrounding area offers some of the most spectacular and amazing views which makes it a must-visit. There are a lot of couple friendly hotels in Hyderabad and they also allow hourly booking of hotel so you need not worry on the hotel rental front while visiting Hyderabad.

8. Hampi

Hampi is located in Bellary District of Karnataka and is at a distance of 377 km from Hyderabad. Also known as the city of ruins, Hampi is one of the most renowned and most visited UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. The city is a delight for the sore eyes of a history aficionado with over 500 monuments, temples, street markets, forts, palaces and other enchanting remains of the Vijayanagar Empire. Capital of the once mighty and great Vijayanagar empire, Hampi is now a chapter that encompasses the greatness through its ruins. The famous monuments are the Virupaksha Temple, Badavi Linga, Achyutaraya Temple, Malyavanta Raghunathaswamy Temple, and Chandramouleshwara Temple. All these temples have beautiful intricate carvings on their interiors with various elements of the Vedas inscribed on it. The Hazara Rama Temple has the story of Ramayana inscribed on its walls. Hampi is surely an important place for Hindu religion and provides several anecdotes into the Hindu mythology. The geography of the surroundings is also a ruin. Hampi is surrounded by boulders on all sides. A climb to the top will reward your efforts with the stunning view of the entire city. The Tungabhadra river flowing beside the city adds to the beauty of this ancient ruin.  

Ancient temple ruin in Hampi

So, come out of your boring routine and witness the beauty of nature and the charm of this historic city. Get some fresh air and don't be stuck in your hotel in Hyderabad when you visit the city.

9. Kolar

The city of silk, milk and gold: Kolar has it all. Kolar lies 55 km east of Bengaluru and is at a distance of 475 km from Hyderabad. Kolar has been an ancient hub in Karnataka dating back to 350 CE. Formerly known as the city of gold, the Kolar Gold Fields had the world's largest gold mines until 2001 when it was shut down. Now the city is famous for its silk and for being the largest milk producer in South India and the world. Kolar is also known as the sacred Avantika-Kshetra and is famous for the numerous temples in the area such as the Someshwara temple, Kashi Vishweshwara Temple and the Kotilingeshwara temple. Nature lovers, trekkers and cave explorers can also visit Anthargange in Kolar. Located in the Shathashrunga range at an altitude of 1712 meters this place is a paradise for the rock climbers and cave explorers with its numerous rocky hills, caves and dense forest cover. Anthargange is the name given to the stream that flows through the rocky land. It is famous since the origin of the stream is still a mystery. Don't worry about the long distance. You can easily stop at Bangalore. There are a lot of couple friendly hotels in Bangalore where you can stay comfortably with your loved one.

Kotilingeshwar Temple

10. Horsley Hills

Though the distance is a strenuous 527 km from Hyderabad, the drive to this scenic location is a splendid journey in itself. At the southwestern border of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh lies the beautiful hill station known as the Horsley hills. The cool breeze and the chill in the surroundings of this area make it a perfect summer retreat for all the tourists. Also known as the Ooty of Andhra, the Horsley hills are situated at a staggering height of 4312 metres and provide stunning views of the landscpae from the top that will mesmerize you. Yenugulla Mallamma Konda is the local name for this place and it houses the largest Banyan tree and the oldest Eucalyptus Tree in India. The area is replte with flora and fauna. The forests are a home to 113 species of birds. You can also enjoy some of the most exciting adventure sports in this serene hill station such as trampoline, shooting, bow and arrow, wall climbing, water walking, rappelling etc. There is also a swimming pool, fish spa and a mini zoo that attract visitors in large numbers. The place is a must visit for couples. You can also move forward to Bangalore if you want. There are even hotels for unmarried couples in Bangalore so don't hesitate when you take your live-in partner with you on the adventures.

Horsley Hills

All these destinations are far from the buzz of city and provide the much needed relief in Nature's lap. Whenever you visit Hyderabad try to visit these destinations. If you live in Hyderabad, march on to these weekend getaways and you will be surprised. Hold your partners hand and be ready to be amazed by the plethora of heart warming views ready to welcome you.

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